Page 3235 - Week 12 - Wednesday, 18 November 1992

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MINISTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, LAND AND PLANNING

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY QUESTION

QUESTION NO. 370

Environment, Land and Planning Portfolio -
Consultants

MR WESTENDE: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Land and Planning - In relation to the number of consultants employed by the Department

(1) How are these contracts awarded and why.

(2) Why is there a budgeted increase.

(3) What was achieved from the Review of Environment Protection Service.

(4) Could this review have been conducted in-house.

Mr Wood - the answer to the Members question is as follows:-.

(1) The engagement of consultants/contractors complies with ACT Government

purchasing policy and the Audit Act and its subsidiary Regulations and Directions.

- Proposals for consultancies over $25,000 are referred to the ACTGS Consultancy

Management Committee for approval.

Contracts are awarded by establishing the need to engage a consultant and defining and specifying the requirements. Following the preparation of a specification and/or brief, offers are sought from potential consultants by an appropriate method (eg, written quotes, public invitation of tenders). The choice of method depends. upon the extent to which-the market is known, the value and the complexity of the requirement. Offers are evaluated against criteria such as:

. specialist knowledge or expertise on the project/subject; -

. previous involvement in the project/subject or work area;

. absence of conflict of interest;

. ability to perform within time frame;

. past performance (quality of work, timeliness, adherence to Brief requirements etc); -

- preference for local and/or Canberra based businesses; and

. the best value for money (this may not necessarily be the lowest quote/tender/price).

Negotiations with potential consultants may occur to aid in making a selection,

maximising due for money by negotiating better terms and conditions and

3235

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